This event was another first for the Woodlanders; we had a very kind offer from Maggie and David Blake to use their front garden to put on a display Well, what a setting in front of Apple Tree Cottage just opposite St Peter's Church. Having seen photographs following the event it could only be described as a very typical English summer scene.

As June progressed, I think the temperature just increased and this weekend was no exception, packing up on the Saturday, someone noticed a thermometer on a wall reading 42°C. Given that this was in full sun on a wall this no doubt helped to push it towards those levels, but it was very warm.

Having only just about caught our breath from the previous weekend, with high temperatures forecast and the first day coinciding with England's first game in the World Cup, I expected the Saturday to be quieter than the Sunday. How wrong I was, the day gradually built up until a lull around kick off but this only lasted for about an hour, for which in fact we where all grateful. This allowed us time to rest, eat and drink and also to make a few items to sell.
It is both amazing and very rewarding when you see the range of products we make and more so when they leave the stand. We sold everything from cards, pens to mini gate hurdles and bags of charcoal.

On the Saturday we had a pole-lathe running plus Brian and myself working on the shave horses. On the Saturday, Brian also brought along his collection of old tools which always provide a good talking point. Sunday dawned bright and clear and as we turned up the sound of the bells from St Peters greeted us, and it would be hard to imagine a more English scene than that. Again Sunday seemed to follow the same pattern as Saturday except for the order list growing even longer.
We did have a change of personnel on Sunday but one person will no doubt wish he wasn't there. Mark had left early on the Saturday to go and watch the football and did a little too much celebrating so next day he was a bit fragile and needed a lay down in the shade.

Maggie kept the troops well topped up with tea and scones, which was very welcome on both afternoons. What was so pleasing to see was the pole-lathe being operated by two first timers (David Blake & Dave Burchell) and how they both took to it and enjoyed using the lathe.

When we were packing up on the Sunday, I was marvelling at how a village like Henfield puts on an event like this, and from the Woodlanders' point of view this was another successful weekend, and to add to this we had our photograph in the West Sussex County Times. Again many thanks to Maggie and David for allowing us the use of their front lawn, and if you have never been, look out for the dates in 2007, pick up a blue leaflet and come and enjoy some wonderful gardens, arts and crafts.